Chapter 82: Years of Passing Time, Establishing Zi Mo as Crown Prince
Chapter 82 Years of Passing Time, Establishing Zi Mo as Crown Prince
The eldest prince, Li Ziming, the eldest princess, Li Zhaoyue, and the youngest prince, Li Zhiyan, have all reached the age where they can run, jump, and are lively and active.
These three little ones, cherished by the Emperor and Empress, were like the freshest seedlings in spring, bringing endless vitality and laughter to the solemn palace.
However, for their father, Emperor Li Qianche, these three little ones occasionally became a helpless "small obstacle" when he tried to get close to Su Su.
Ever since the children were old enough to understand, Su Su had a new secret to be shy about. Whenever she was deeply in love with Li Qianche and they were whispering sweet nothings to each other, she couldn't help but be distracted and listen to the sounds outside the hall, afraid that the three little figures would run in without warning.
Pianli Qianche didn't take it to heart. In fact, whenever he was interrupted, he would put on a stern face and pretend to scold the children, blaming them for disturbing his "discussion of important matters" with his mother.
The three little ones were still a bit confused, but they gradually figured out the pattern—when their father was in their mother's palace, if the palace servants kept a distance and wouldn't let them in immediately, it was probably because their father was "monopolizing" their mother again.
That afternoon, the warm sunlight streamed through the precious gauze curtains of the Kunning Palace windows, casting dappled shadows on the carpet.
Su Su removed her hairpins and jewelry, wearing only a comfortable brocade dress, and lazily reclined on the soft couch by the window, holding a newly collected folk painting book in her hand, engrossed in reading it.
Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to her. Giving birth to three children did not diminish her beauty in the slightest. Her skin remained as white as snow, and her waist was so slender that it could be encircled with one hand. Her figure became even more exquisite and graceful than when she was young, like a beautiful jade carefully nurtured by time, with a restrained radiance that was captivating.
As Li Qianche stepped into the palace, he was greeted by this beautiful spring scene. He waved away the palace servants who wanted to announce his arrival, and quietly walked to the bedside. He leaned down and scooped up Su Su, who was engrossed in reading, along with the book, into his arms.
"Ugh..." Su Su was caught off guard and let out a short gasp. After smelling the familiar ambergris scent, she raised her watery eyes reproachfully, "When did Your Majesty arrive? You didn't make a sound and startled me."
Li Qianche chuckled softly, his chin gently brushing against the top of her fragrant hair. He wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her even tighter into his embrace. "What are you looking at so intently that you didn't even notice me coming?"
His gaze swept over the sketchbook in her hand, but he didn't pay much attention to it. His eyes lingered more on her blushing cheeks and those eyes that always easily captivated his heart.
Su Su pushed against his chest, but her strength was weak. "It's just some idle books... Your Majesty, please let go. In broad daylight, what kind of behavior is this?"
Her cheeks felt slightly warm, and she had a feeling that the children would run in at any moment.
"What's wrong with me embracing my empress in my own palace?" Li Qianche said confidently. Not only did he not let go, but he also took advantage of her tilted head and precisely captured her two soft, rosy lips.
"No... what if Zimo and the others see us..." Su Su turned her head away, her voice becoming broken and coquettish due to his kiss.
Upon hearing this, Li Qianche paused slightly, but then kissed her even deeper, with an undeniable domineering force, his tongue prying open her teeth and wantonly savoring her sweetness.
After a while, he stepped back slightly, his forehead pressed against hers, his breath a little unsteady, and his tone carried a hint of aggrieved accusation: "Su Su, I feel that ever since you had those three little ones, your heart and eyes have been filled with them, and you've almost forgotten about me."
Su Su was both amused and exasperated by his counter-accusation. Before she could retort, his kisses rained down on her again. This time, they were not just fleeting kisses, but rather passionate kisses that spread from her lips to her slender neck, leaving behind ambiguous red marks.
His hands also became restless, precisely covering her breasts and kneading them gently through the soft fabric.
Su Su's body went weak from his teasing. Reason told her she should push him away, but her body responded honestly to his passion. She was overwhelmed by his kisses, her arms unconsciously climbing up his neck, soft moans of unbearable pleasure escaping her lips.
Just as the intimate atmosphere was warming up and the room was filled with enchanting beauty, the clear voices of children and the sound of footsteps came from outside the hall.
"Mother! Mother! Zhaoyue has finished school! Today, the teacher praised my essay!"
It was Zhaoyue. Behind her was the Crown Prince Zimo, who was beginning to show a composed demeanor. Zhaoyue was thinking about how she wanted her mother to "cherish" her hard work studying, so after school she didn't forget to go to her younger brother Zhiyan's bedroom. She pulled the still somewhat dazed little Zhiyan, who had just woken up, and the three of them ran together to find Su Su.
The three little ones ran into the inner palace, laughing and giggling, and happened to see their father holding their mother tightly in his arms and kissing her deeply. Their mother's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were dreamy.
The eldest son, Zi Mo, was already "used to" this scene. He sighed helplessly and, in a manner befitting an elder brother, immediately closed his eyes and stretched out his hands to precisely cover the eyes of his younger sister, Zhao Yue, who was watching with great interest and even giggling.
With her other hand, she put her arm around her younger brother, Zhiyan, who was still unaware of what was happening, and pressed his little head against her body, making him face away from their father and mother.
Zhiyan nestled obediently against her brother, burying her face in his robes, and asked in a muffled voice, "Brother, what's wrong?"
Zhao Yue's laughter startled Su Su from her reverie. She snapped back to reality, saw the three small figures at the palace entrance, and was immediately filled with shame. Her face flushed red, as if painted with the most vibrant rouge. She forcefully pushed away the still-enthusiastic Li Qianche, buried her burning cheeks deep in his firm chest, and punched him lightly in embarrassment and annoyance.
Li Qianche was interrupted and was very displeased. He turned to look at the three "little troublemakers" at the door, his gaze precisely locking onto Zhao Yue, who was laughing the loudest: "Is it Yue'er who is leading the mischief again? After school, instead of going back to your own palace to rest, you come to disturb the peace of me and your mother."
He specially arranged separate sleeping quarters for the three children. The Crown Prince lived in the East Palace, Zhaoyue had her own Princess Palace, and Zhiyan, being young and clinging to her older sister, lived in a side hall of the Princess Palace.
Zhaoyue wasn't afraid of her father's feigned seriousness at all. She happily broke free from her brother's hand and ran towards them like a joyful little butterfly, opening her little arms: "Father is biased, only kissing Mother! Yue'er wants a kiss too!"
Upon hearing this, Su Su was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head, and angrily punched Li Qianche in the chest again.
Li Qianche grasped her "violent" hand, enveloping it in his palm, and whispered with a smile in her ear, "It seems that next time, I'll have to find a more secluded place."
Su Su glared at him, her eyes sparkling with charm: "There won't be a next time! Humph!"
The three children grew up in such a loving environment. They were used to it and deeply understood that their father’s love for their mother was the most unquestionable thing in the deep palace.
That love did not fade with the passage of time; on the contrary, like fine wine, it became more and more mellow.
Even after they had all grown up, the Emperor still treated the Empress Dowager like a child who needed careful care. That meticulous love remained unchanged until their hair turned white.
When Crown Prince Li Ziming turned fifteen, he displayed a maturity and wisdom beyond his years, handling state affairs with great efficiency and earning the respect of the entire court for his virtue. Li Qianche then held an abdication ceremony without hesitation, handing over the country to his son.
The court officials witnessed the young crown prince's growth and abilities, and were all sincerely convinced of his worth, wholeheartedly assisting the new emperor.
Li Qianche built a luxurious and exquisite princess mansion for his beloved daughter Zhaoyue, but Zhaoyue, who had grown into a beauty that could topple kingdoms, was reluctant to leave her mother and brother and still chose to stay in the palace.
She inherited Su Su's stunning beauty, and her radiance was beyond compare. Li Qianche also protected her very well, rarely letting her leave the palace at will, for fear that the dangers of the world would harm his precious pearl.
Not long after abdicating, Li Qianche summoned his three children to his side and announced his plan: "I intend to take your mother out of the palace to travel around the beautiful landscapes of our dynasty."
Upon hearing this, Zhaoyue and Zhiyan immediately clamored to go as well. Zhaoyue, now a young woman, tugged at Su Su's sleeve and pleaded, "Mother, take Zhaoyue with you! Zhaoyue promises to be good!"
Li Qianche looked at his graceful daughter, shook his head, and said firmly, "No. Although the world outside the palace is vast, the Jianghu is far away and there are bound to be hidden storms. Your father needs to protect your mother with all his heart. If you are added to the mix, I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it."
His words were half truth and half "deception," but in reality, he wanted to steal a moment of peace and quiet with Su Su.
At only twelve years old, Zhiyan immediately puffed out her little chest, her voice still a bit childish, but her face was serious: "Then take Zhiyan with you! Zhiyan will protect her sister!"
Li Qianche was amused by his youngest son and rubbed his head: "Yan'er, your father knows your feelings. But you are still young, how can you protect your sister? Besides, if we all leave, won't your brother Zimo be lonely in the palace? Zhaoyue, Zhiyan, why don't you stay in the palace to help your brother with some affairs and keep him company?"
After being entrusted with an "important task" by their father, Zhaoyue and Zhiyan immediately felt a great responsibility on their shoulders, and their desire to go out and play was immediately suppressed. Zhaoyue nodded solemnly: "Father is right! My brother needs me, so I will stay in the palace to help him!"
Zhiyan nodded eagerly, her little face serious: "Yes, yes! Zhiyan will help her brother too!"
Su Su felt a surge of tenderness as she looked at her two children, who were so sensible. She reached out and pinched Zhao Yue's delicate nose, then gently patted Zhi Yan's head. Finally, her gaze fell on her eldest son, Zi Mo, who already possessed the majesty of an emperor, and she said softly, "Zi Mo, take good care of your younger brother and sister."
The newly enthroned Emperor Li Ziming, dressed in a dragon robe, exuded a composed demeanor. He bowed to his parents, his voice clear and reliable: "Father, Mother, rest assured, your son will take good care of my younger siblings and handle state affairs well. You two can simply travel in peace and enjoy the pleasures of nature."
Looking at the children who had grown up, Li Qianche and Su Su smiled at each other, their eyes filled with joy and anticipation for the future.
Their mission and responsibilities have been quietly handed over, and their long journey has only just begun.
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